This weekend, New Japan Pro Wrestling kicks off their annual summer tournament, the G1 Climax. This year’s tournament—the 26th iteration—features one of the deepest and arguably best in-ring rosters in G1 Climax history.

Today, we’re going to look at all the members of the A Block. For those unfamiliar, the G1 Climax participants are split into two 10-man blocks. Each wrestler faces their blockmates once until a Block winner is determined. That block winner moves onto the G1 Climax final where they face the winner from the opposing block. If you have any other questions about the G1 Climax or New Japan Pro Wrestling in general, we suggest checking out our NJPW 2015 Year in Review eBook (available for download on Payhip or Amazon.com) as well as our Beginner’s Guide to New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Also, be sure to enter yourself in our G1 Climax 26 Pick’Em contest. The free contest allows you to predict each and every match result from the tournament for a chance at some great prizes from IVPVideos.com. Sign-up today at bit.ly/VOWG126-Picks.

Follow our predictors: 

Bad Luck Fale

Entering his third NJPW G1 Climax, Bad Luck Fale has a record of scoring double-digit points and earning at least one victory over a New Japan brand name. In his first two tournaments, Fale has racked up one win each over Kota Ibushi and Tomohiro Ishii and two wins over Hiroshi Tanahashi. This year, The Underboss will get shots at Hirooki Goto, Ishii, Tanahashi, and Kazuchika Okada. Despite how American fans feel about Fale, he is likely to be a high scorer and take down one or two of those big names. In fact, it would be wholly unsurprising if Fale were to repeat what he did last year and defeat Okada to set up a title match between the two in the time between the G1 and Wrestle Kingdom. Outside of his bouts with Okada and Tanahashi, with whom he has proven he can have very good matches, Fale will have a number of contests that you will want to skip as the tournament wears on. Anyone who makes it through Fale vs. Tama Tonga on Night 17 deserves a plaque, or a straitjacket. -Aaron Bentley

Point Predictions:

Aaron: 8
Barry Hess: 6
Joe Lanza: 10
John Carroll: 8
Rich Kraetsch: 8

Hirooki Goto

This year marks Goto’s ninth consecutive appearance in the G1. Though he’s only breached the double-digit points mark twice (2011 and 2015) he enters the tournament with the credibility of being one of six past winners (2008) in this year’s field.  Goto continues to be plagued by the proverbial glass ceiling looming over him, but after a shaky start to 2016 his induction into CHAOS seems to have him back on track. It may be easy to overlook the former IWGP Intercontinental Champion as he’s slotted in a stacked A Block, but don’t write him off too quickly. Matches against fellow CHAOS members, Tomohiro Ishii and Kazuchika Okada on Night 3 and 5 respectively are sure to be highlights of the entire tournament. A Night 7 match against SANADA is a compelling continuation of the feud with Los Ingobernables. A Night 9 match-up against G1 stalwart, Hiroshi Tanahashi will be telling as well. Those first four matches of Goto’s tournament are likely to establish his trajectory this year; if he makes it through the first week relatively whole he stands a chance to surprise some people and take the block. -Barry Hess

Point Predictions:

Aaron: 8
Barry Hess: 14
Joe Lanza: 10
John Carroll: 8
Rich Kraetsch: 6

Tomohiro Ishii

The unrelenting in-ring style of Tomohiro Ishii and the physically demanding format of the G1 are truly a match made in heaven; a marriage that has earned the CHAOS member a reputation for being one of the more consistent entrants, in terms of match quality, on a night-to-night basis. Early matches against Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga (Night 5 and 9 respectively) appear pedestrian on paper, but have the chance to over deliver and further prove Ishii’s value to the roster. In what will be his fourth straight G1 appearance, Ishii looks to improve upon the 10-point performances of the past two years and elevate to block contender status. The back end of Ishii’s tournament is particularly compelling. A Night 13 match against Hiroshi Tanahashi qualifies as can’t miss (assuming Tanahashi is in good health). Ishii’s win over Tanahashi in his G1 debut (2013) was the first landmark victory of his New Japan career; the fact that the two are relatively closer in range on the card adds a new level of intrigue to the contest. An all-CHAOS meeting with Kazuchika Okada on Night 13 is equally compelling as Ishii shares the ring with an IWGP Heavyweight Champion for the second time in 2016. Ishii is, without question, the most talented wrestler in A Block to have never advanced to a G1 Final, a distinction he hopes to break this year.  -Barry Hess

Point Predictions:

Aaron: 10
Barry Hess: 12
Joe Lanza: 8
John Carroll: 6
Rich Kraetsch: 10

Togi Makabe

A former winner of New Japan’s summer spectacular (2009, Togi Makabe has found his way in the mix every year since 2007 when he began a streak of three straight years at least tied for the lead in his block. He finally took a step back in 2008, but only a small step — he still averaged 8.7 points for the next six years including 10 point showings in both 2011 and 2013. This year, he appears as a complete afterthought. A fixture in the NEVER Openweight Title picture over the last few years, Makabe has seen his role in New Japan diminish greatly in 2016. To date, the 43-year-old has two singles matches this year—a defeat at the hands of Bullet Club underling Tama Tonga in the first round of the New Japan Cup and a revenge victory over Tonga at a Road to Invasion Attack show—that’s it. Last year at this time, the former “Shinya” had fought Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Title three times and made it all the way to the semifinals of the New Japan Cup. Of course, Makabe has been occupied teaming with his Great Bash Heel compadre Tomoaki Honma chasing the “illustrious” IWGP Tag Team Titles, still, two singles matches in seven months is startling for a man of his former stature. He now comes into the tournament with zero chance to win his block and even less chance of being in the top half. Makabe can still go when motivated but one has to wonder if elite performances from Makabe will be the exception and not the rule during this year’s tournament. -Rich Kraetsch

Point Predictions:

Aaron: 8
Barry Hess: 8
Joe Lanza: 8
John Carroll: 8
Rich Kraetsch: 4

Naomichi Marufuji

It’s been four years since true Japanese outsiders competed in the G1, as the 2013, 2014, and 2015 leagues were all comprised entirely of NJPW roster members, gaijin regulars, and Michael Elgin (who impressed so much he went on to become a gaijin regular himself!). The last time the G1 featured anyone who came from an outside Japanese promotion was in 2012, when NOAH’s Naomichi Marufuji took part in the tournament. Now, in 2016, Marufuji makes his G1 return (and is joined by his fellow NOAH wrestler Katsuhiko Nakajima as well). How did he fare in 2012? Not particularly well: he went 4-4, good for just 8 points, but that did tie him for 3rd in the block with four other wrestlers in a parity-filled year (Karl Anderson & Tanahashi tied for 1st at 5-3, and only Yano & Yujiro did worse at 3-5). In the years that have passed since then, Marufuji has become as synonymous with Pro Wrestling NOAH as just about anyone, especially given the retirements and defections. Given this simple fact, I expect him to do a bit better this time around (I have him going 6-3 for 12 points), and it’s possible he’ll end up playing a major role in who wins the block. Undoubtedly his matches will be some of the freshest and most anticipated of the entire tournament, starting right off the bat with a huge main event against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Okada on Night 1 in Hokkaido. Osaka on August 6 gets possibly the biggest match of the entire tournament, when Marufuji and Tanahashi go one-on-one for the fourth time in history (Tanahashi leads the series 2-1, with a win over him in 2003 for the U-30 Title and in 2012 for the IWGP title, while Marufuji’s victory came during the aforementioned 2012 G1). One final little fun fact: Marufuji was originally supposed to make his G1 debut two years earlier in 2010, but was forced to pull out due to injury, which allowed Prince Devitt/Finn Balor to make his first of two G1 appearances. -John Carroll

Point Predictions:

Aaron: 12
Barry Hess: 4
Joe Lanza: 10
John Carroll: 12
Rich Kraetsch: 8

Kazuchika Okada

The three-time block winner and two-time overall G1 winner comes into this year’s tournament looking to do what no man has done since 2000: win the G1 as IWGP Heavyweight Champion. With every indication pointing toward Okada defending his title in a rematch against Tetsuya Naito at Wrestle Kingdom, it would behoove New Japan to get there in an interesting way. The main options to do that would be for Okada to win the G1 or for a surprise winner to later lose his briefcase to Naito. No matter Okada’s destination, he will have a fascinating journey, starting with a Night 1 matchup with Naomichi Marufuji and ending on Night 18 with a rematch with Hiroshi Tanahashi.

A Night 1 Marufuji upset to set up a fresh title match makes too much sense for it not to happen. Similarly, it seems etched in stone that Okada vs. Tanahashi on the last night will determine the Block A winner. Regardless, the match will deliver in a big way. -Aaron Bentley

Point Predictions:

Aaron: 12
Barry Hess: 12
Joe Lanza: 14
John Carroll: 12
Rich Kraetsch: 18

SANADA

With Katsuyori Shibata now well on a path to a long awaited main event level push, SANADA is primed to step into the “when are they going to push this guy?!” role. That means teases and glimpses of something big cooking, with first round New Japan Cup losses and 4-5 G1 finishes to set fans straight. SANADA is everything that modern New Japan looks for in a main eventer, with matinee idol looks, a good looking physique, and the ability to work the epic modern style NJPW main events. It is not a question of if they’ll push SANADA, it’s just a matter of when. To the angst of some, it’ll probably be a while, but with the emergence of Tetsuya Naito as a legitimate drawing star, the long awaited elevation of Shibata, and the emergence of Michael Elgin, taking the long road with SANADA is OK. He’ll have excellent matches here against the likes of Okada, Tanahashi, Marufuji, and others, but 2016 is way too soon to expect a Naito underling to compete seriously for a block. It’s a real shame we won’t be getting a SANADA vs YOSHI-HASHI G1 match, but focusing on that disappointment obstructed a sneaky booking move, in that SANADA was kept apart from Naito. Store that one away. -Joe Lanza

Point Predictions:

Aaron: 10
Barry Hess: 14
Joe Lanza: 8
John Carroll: 6
Rich Kraetsch: 6

Hiroshi Tanahashi

The prevailing theme surrounding Tanahashi is the state of his shoulder and whether it can hold up to the rigors of the nine (more?) hard singles matches that the tournament calls for. History shows that he won’t dog it. He’ll give full effort, and that means potentially great matches with the likes of Fale (who he has incredible chemistry with), Marufuji, SANADA and Goto, and potential match of the year caliber bouts against Ishii and Okada. The block is very clearly set up to come down to the greatest rivalry in modern wrestling, in the main event of a sold out Sumo Hall, which sounds incredible on paper. But in order to get there, Tanahashi has to survive a month on the road and eight singles matches that are pretty much all positioned high enough on cards that they’ll be called upon and expected to deliver at modern G1 standards. We’ve been down this road before. Last year, it was Tanahashi’s back. The narrative at the time, which many forget since he ended up performing so well (arguably the MVP of the tournament), was “Is Tanahashi finished as an elite performer?”. The key difference is last year, he never stopped working. This year, he visibly has had trouble lifting his arm, and was taken off of the last two tours to rest. If his body does hold up, he has a very real chance to not only beat Okada and win the block, but to win the entire tournament. That should be the story. But for the second year in a row, the big question heading into the G1 is whether he can simply survive the tour. -Joe Lanza

Point Predictions:

Aaron: 14
Barry Hess: 8
Joe Lanza: 14
John Carroll: 16
Rich Kraetsch: 16

Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Look, the smarky, workrate-included puroresu fans are going to eyeroll this next statement but it was the right move to put Hiroyoshi Tenzan in the 26th G1 Climax. Whether or not, Satoshi Kojima—who in a mind-blowing fact is actually older than Tenzan—should’ve been the one to give up his spot is worth a debate. In the end, some things are bigger than a set of great matches. This will be the final G1 Climax for the legendary Tenzan and more importantly, his 20th time in the tournament (an all-time record). While it sucks not to see Kojima in this talent-laden block, the story of Tenzan’s TenKoji tag partner giving up his spot so Tenzan can have one last ride is pretty damn cool.

The three-time winner (2003, 2004 and 2006) probably won’t compete for his block… Let me preface that once again… probably… New Japan has known to get sappy during G1 Climax season. Famously, Riki Chosu dominated the 1996 G1 Climax winning every match in his final tournament. Could the same be done with Tenzan? My prediction is he’ll flirt with the block lead through the first half of the tournament and probably play spoiler but any chance of him winning or even making the finals seems distant. Regardless, Tenzan’s matches will be filled with tremendous emotion and A-class efforts from the four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. For many crowds this will be the last time to see Tenzan in an important role within the company — the hisses will be loud and tears will be shed. -Rich Kraetsch

Point Predictions:

Aaron: 8
Barry Hess: 4
Joe Lanza: 8
John Carroll: 8
Rich Kraetsch: 12

Tama Tonga

Of the many wrestlers making their G1 Climax debuts this year, it’s quite easy to see Tama Tonga flying under the radar more than anyone. He’s had a up-and-down year in 2016: on one hand, he’s undoubtedly gotten the biggest push of his career, more by necessity than anything else following the three big Bullet Club departures. On the other hand, that push has been in the near-legendarily lukewarm heavyweight tag team division alongside his stiff of a brother, which has resulted in Tama being in a lot of matches that are just kind of….there. G.O.D’s unspectacular heavyweight tag title reign came to a pretty abrupt end at the hands of the Briscoes at Dominion, and rather than getting a rematch they’ll watch as fellow BC members Adam Page & Yujiro Takahashi challenge instead (that’s the only non-G1 match booked for the final night so far, and it finally means Yujiro misses the tournament after he was in it for, I swear this is true, six straight years, so hurray!). Tama Tonga will thus strike back out on his own as a singles wrestler in this year’s G1. He’s likely here as cannon fodder more than anything else, but he should get at least one or two wins that might surprise you. It may be difficult to remember this given the middling 2016 he’s had so far, but before this year people really liked what they saw of Tama and thought he could shine in a bigger role. Without having to carry his lunk of a brother, can Tama Tonga remind everyone why they once believed that? It’s very possible. -John Carroll

Point Predictions:

Aaron: 0
Barry Hess: 8
Joe Lanza: 0
John Carroll: 6
Rich Kraetsch: 2

NJPW G1 Climax 26 A Block Tournament Schedule

JULY 18
HOKKAIDO PREFECTURAL SPORTS CENTER KITA YELL
2:00 AM EST

  • A BLOCK: Togi Makabe vs. Tama Tonga
  • A BLOCK: Hirooki Goto vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • A BLOCK: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • A BLOCK: Kazuchika Okada vs. Naomichi Marufuji
  • A BLOCK: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. SANADA

JULY 23
MACHIDA MUNICIPAL GYMNASIUM TOKYO
5:30 AM EEST

  • A BLOCK: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tama Tonga
  • A BLOCK: Naomichi Marufuji vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • A BLOCK: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hirooki Goto
  • A BLOCK: Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA
  • A BLOCK: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Togi Makabe

July 25
Fukushima Big Palette
5:30 AM EST

  • A BLOCK: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • A BLOCK:Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Naomichi Marufuji
  • A BLOCK: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tama Tonga
  • A BLOCK: Kazuchika Okada vs. Hirooki Goto
  • A BLOCK: Togi Makabe vs. SANADA

JULY 28
TOKOROZAWA CITIZEN GYMNASIUM SAITAMA
5:30 AM EST

  • A BLOCK: Togi Makabe vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
  • A BLOCK: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tama Tonga
  • A BLOCK: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • A BLOCK: Hirooki Goto vs. SANADA
  • A BLOCK: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Naomichi Marufuji

JULY 31
GIFU INDUSTRIAL HALL
3:00 AM EST

  • A BLOCK: SANADA vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • A BLOCK: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tama Tonga
  • A BLOCK:Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • A BLOCK: Togi Makabe vs. Naomichi Marufuji
  • A BLOCK: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto

AUGUST 3
KAGOSHIMA ARENA
5:30 AM EST

  • A BLOCK: Naomichi Marufuji vs. SANADA
  • A BLOCK: Hirooki Goto vs. Tama Tonga
  • A BLOCK:Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • A BLOCK: Togi Makabe vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • A BLOCK: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii

AUGUST 6
EDION ARENA OSAKA
4:00 AM EST

  • A BLOCK: SANADA vs. Tama Tonga
  • A BLOCK:Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Hirooki Goto
  • A BLOCK: Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • A BLOCK: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • A BLOCK: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Naomichi Marufuji

AUGUST 8
YOKOHAMA CULTURAL GYMNASIUM IN KANAGAWA
5:30 AM EST

  • A BLOCK: Naomichi Marufuji vs. Tama Tonga
  • A BLOCK: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
  • A BLOCK: Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • A BLOCK: Togi Makabe vs. Hirooki Goto
  • A BLOCK: Tomohiro Ishii vs. SANADA

AUGUST 12
RYOGOKU KOKUGIKAN TOKYO
5:30 AM EST

  • A BLOCK: Bad Luck Fale vs. Tama Tonga
  • A BLOCK:Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. SANADA
  • A BLOCK: Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • A BLOCK: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • A BLOCK: Hirooki Goto vs. Naomichi Marufuji

AUGUST 14
RYOGOKU KOKUGIKAN TOKYO
2:00 AM EST

  • G1 Climax 26 Final Match: Block A Winner vs. Block B Winner

Check back tomorrow for our preview of the B Block. In the meantime, head over to VoicesofWrestling.com/Forums and join our G1 Climax 26 discussion!